⚽ World Cup 2026: Group B Predictions, Best Bets & Odds

It's nearly time for the 2026 World Cup and on tap is one of the trickier groups in the tournament: Group B. It's not that it's a "Group of Death" (in fact, it's quite far from it), but rather that after Switzerland winning it all, things get kind of dicey. My Group B predictions and best bets will dig through the noise and come up with some top bets to make.

Co-host Canada is +200 to win the group, while Switzerland is a -135 betting favorite to come out on top.

📅 World Cup 2026: Group B schedule

The schedule for Group B highlights a serious concern for many teams in the tournament: traveling huge distances (although only Toronto and Bosnia-Herzegovina will travel east-to-west across three time zones).

• June 12 -> Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (BMO Field, Toronto)
• June 13 -> Qatar vs. Switzerland (Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.)

• June 18 -> Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Calif.)
• June 18 -> Canada vs. Qatar (BC Place, Vancouver)

• June 24 -> Switzerland vs. Canada (BC Place, Vancouver)
• June 24 -> Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar (Lumen FIeld, Seattle)

⚽ World Cup 2026: Group B best bets

To win Group B: Switzerland (-135)

I like the Swiss to win the group, given the across-the-board positional advantages it has over its competitors. 

Switzerland starts off with a Qatar team that is fully in disarray. The system simply hasn't clicked under Julen Lopetegui, and Switzerland will neutralize Akram Afif - Qatar's only "real" threat. They'll be able to accomplish that by limiting space between the defense and midfield, forcing him to low-value areas.

Then up is a tilt with Bosnia, which can't keep up with the Switzerland roster. Murat Yakin can use his midfielders, namely Grant Xhaka and Remo Freuler, to dictate the pace of the game by alternating from a standard 4-2-3-1 to a situational 3-4-3. Xhaka is one of the best progression passers in the Premier League, and his 85% pass accuracy (per xGstat) will cause fits as Switzerland pivots from dominating in possession to quick transitions. 

Group play wraps up with a game against Canada. Despite being the hosts, Switzerland's midfield control again will cause issues, punishing Canada's high press and leaving the defense exposed. This will be Switzerland's most difficult game, but Xhaka's vertical passing will again be the deciding factor. 

I'll actually put a quarter unit on Switzerland to win every group game, which is set at +400. I won't play it any lower than that, but it's a little bonus to go with the pick to win the group.

Exact forecast: Switzerland - 1st / Canada - 2nd / Bosnia - 3rd / Qatar - 4th (+350)

I've already broken down why I think the Swiss will top the group, so here's a look at the other three. 

Canada and Bosnia are where things get tricky, but I'm going to roll the dice and pick Canada to come out on top. I do have concerns about injury woes for the hosts: Alphonso Davies will not be available to start the tournament after suffering a late-stage Champions League injury, and Marcelo Flores ruptured his ACL. As part of Marsch's 4-2-2-2 formation, the team often plays a very high line, but without Davies to bail the squad out on the back end, they will be vulnerable to punishment. 

The Bosnian side can counter Canada's intensity by having Demirovic run through spaces after Dzeko draws the attention of the Canadian defenders. That opening game in the group play could decide who comes second, and I do have enough concern with the Canadian defensive lapses that I'll only be dedicating a partial unit to the play. Despite being 40 years old, Dzeko remains absolutely lethal in aerial duels, ranking in the 99th percentile last year in his play across Serie A, 2. Bundesliga, the Europa Conference League, and in the 95th percentile in WC Qualification. That forces extra attention from defenders and opens things up for Demirovic.

For me, Qatar is the easy fourth. Lopetegui's group feels like it will come in underprepared and unsettled under their new manager. Things have been bleak in 2026, especially with three of the team's friendlies earlier in the year all canceled. Since punching their ticket with a 2-1 victory over the UAE, the team has lost four of its five games, all four losses to teams that didn't make the World Cup. 

❓ World Cup 2026: Group B FAQs

Which teams are in Group B? 

Tournament co-host Canada is joined by Switzerland, Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Who is the favorite to win Group B?

Switzerland is a notable -135 betting favorite to win Group B

When does Group B play?

Group B opens their tournament play on June 12 and 13, with their second games on June 18, and their final games on June 24.